Actor, producer, and director who was television's “all-American boy” and is one of film's most respected directors and producers. He portrayed Opie Taylor on The Andy Griffith Show (1960–68) and the letter-sweater-wearing teenager Richie Cunningham on Happy Days (1974–80). His directorial efforts include the films Cocoon (1985), Backdraft (1991), Far and Away (1992), Apollo 13 (1995) Ransom (1996), and A Beautiful Mind (2001). He produced How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000).